Fertilizer Tube System

ABSTRACT

A fertilizer tube system for efficiently dispensing and placing fertilizer within a furrow to minimize germination injury. The fertilizer tube system generally includes a fertilizer tube having an input opening at an upper end of the fertilizer tube and an output opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube, a tab attached to the fertilizer tube between the input opening and the output opening and a guard scraper attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube. The guard scraper includes a mounting portion having a receiver channel adapted to be removably attachable to a mounting member of a planter shank of a planter implement, wherein the mounting member is comprised of an inverted T-shaped structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/583,042 filed on May 1, 2017 which issues on Jun. 5, 2018 as U.S.Pat. No. 9,986,681 (Docket No. WIES-008), which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 14/699,868 filed on Apr. 29, 2015 now issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 9,635,805 (Docket No. WIES-005), which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/682,486 filed onApr. 9, 2015 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,642,300 (Docket No.WIES-004). Each of the aforementioned patent applications, and anyapplications related thereto, is herein incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a fertilizer applicator andmore specifically it relates to a fertilizer tube system for efficientlydispensing and placing fertilizer within a furrow to minimizegermination injury.

Description of the Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Liquid fertilizer applicators have been in use for years. Typically, theplacement of liquid fertilizer in close proximity to seeds during theplanting process is done to improve crop yields. Unfortunately, currentliquid fertilizer applicators utilized in the farming industry sometimesdirectly apply liquid fertilizer to the seed which results in burning ofthe seed thereby increasing germination injury.

While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to whichthey address, they are not as suitable for efficiently dispensing andplacing liquid fertilizer within a furrow to minimize germinationinjury. Conventional fertilizer applicators tend to directly apply thefertilizer upon the seed thereby increasing germination injury.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a fertilizer applicator whichincludes a fertilizer tube having an input opening at an upper end ofthe fertilizer tube and an output opening at a lower end of thefertilizer tube, a tab attached to the fertilizer tube between the inputopening and the output opening and a guard scraper attached to a lowerportion of the fertilizer tube. The guard scraper includes a mountingportion having a receiver channel adapted to be removably attachable toa mounting member of a planter shank of a planter implement, wherein themounting member is comprised of an inverted T-shaped structure.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features ofthe invention in order that the detailed description thereof may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction or to the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of thedescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear left side perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear right side perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded rear left side perspective view of the presentinvention with respect to a planter frame to be installed upon.

FIG. 10 is a rear left side perspective view of the present inventionbeing slid upon the mounting member of the planter shank.

FIG. 11 is a rear left side perspective view of the present inventionbeing rotated into the installed position and the tab bent over theplanter shank to prevent removal of the invention from the plantershank.

FIG. 12 is a rear right side perspective view of the present inventioninstalled upon the planter shank and the fertilizer delivery tubeattached to the fertilizer tube.

FIG. 13 is a front right side perspective view of the present inventionattached to the planter shank with the disks attached.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the present invention attached to the plantershank with the seed tube attached.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the present invention attached to the plantershank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Overview.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1through 15 illustrate a fertilizer tube system 10, which comprises afertilizer tube 30 having an input opening 31 at an upper end of thefertilizer tube 30 and an output opening 39 at a lower end of thefertilizer tube 30, a tab 50 attached to the fertilizer tube 30 betweenthe input opening 31 and the output opening 39 and a guard scraper 20attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30. The guard scraper20 includes a mounting portion 26 having a receiver channel 27 adaptedto be removably attachable to a mounting member 16 of a planter shank 14of a planter implement, wherein the mounting member 16 is comprised ofan inverted T-shaped structure.

The present invention is designed to be utilized in combination with aliquid fertilizer system used on a crop planter implement but may beutilized to dispense additional types of fertilizer such as non-liquidfertilizer. U.S. Pat. No. 7,096,805 (Liquid Fertilizer ApplicationSystem) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,007 (Liquid Fertilizer ApplicationSystem) both to Wiesenburger are hereby incorporated by reference hereinin their entireties.

The present invention may be utilized with any type of planter implementdesigned for planting a row crop such as, but not limited to, the JohnDeere MaxEmerge 5 Row Unit manufactured by Deere & Company in Moline,Ill. The present invention may be utilized with respect to various othertypes of planter implements.

B. Fertilizer Tube.

The fertilizer tube 30 is comprised of an elongated structure. Thefertilizer tube 30 is not a straight structure as best illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings. The fertilizer tube 30 has an inputopening 31 at the upper end of the fertilizer tube 30 and an outputopening 39 at the lower end of the fertilizer tube 30 as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The input opening 31 receives liquidfertilizer from a liquid fertilizer system and the output opening 39dispenses the liquid fertilizer into a seed furrow or near a seed furrowcreated by the disks 18 of the planter implement. The lower portion ofthe fertilizer tube 30 is positioned between a pair of disks 18 of theplanter implement when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the plantershank 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 of the drawings.

A coupler 40 fluidly connects the upper end of the fertilizer tube 30 toa fertilizer delivery tube 11 from the liquid fertilizer system of theplanter implement. The coupler 40 is preferably comprised of a quickcoupler 40 to allow for simple and easy connection of the fertilizerdelivery tube 11 to the fertilizer tube 30.

The fertilizer tube 30 preferably has a circular cross sectional areabut may have different cross sectional shapes (e.g. rectangular, oval).The lumen of the fertilizer tube 30 may be consistently in width ordiffering in width along the length of the fertilizer tube 30. Thefertilizer tube 30 is preferably comprised of a continuous singletubular structure as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings.In particular, the fertilizer tube 30 is preferably constructed of asingle piece of metal tubing that is bent to form the fertilizer tube30. The fertilizer tube 30 is preferably comprised of a rigid materialsuch as, but not limited to, metal.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 9 of the drawings, the fertilizer tube 30 iscomprised of a first segment 38 on the lower portion of the fertilizertube 30, a second segment 37 extending from the first segment 38, athird segment 36 extending from the second segment 37, a fourth segment35 extending from the third segment 36, a fifth segment 34 extendingfrom the fourth segment 35, a sixth segment 33 extending from the fifthsegment 34, and a seventh segment 32 extending from the sixth segment33. Each segment is defined by a bend or corner in the fertilizer tube30 redirecting the fertilizer tube 30. Each segment is preferablycomprised of a substantially straight structure having an independentlongitudinal axis that doesn't align with any of the other segments'axis.

The first segment 38 of the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to a frontedge 22 of the guard scraper 20 as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 ofthe drawings. The output opening 39 is within a lower distal end of thefirst segment 38 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The lower end and theoutput opening 39 within the lower end of the first segment 38 arepositioned near the lower end of the guard scraper 20 as illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings. The first segment 38 is furtherpreferably parallel to and adjacent to the front edge 22 of the guardscraper 20 as further illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. Thefirst segment 38 may be attached to the guard scraper 20 by welding orother attachment means. When in use, the fertilizer tube 30 will bepositioned in front of the guard scraper 20 with the front edge 22angled downwardly and rearwardly as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Aportion of the first segment 38 of the fertilizer tube 30 will wear fromengaging the earth over time. The exterior width of the first segment 38is preferably approximately the same width as the main body portion ofthe guard scraper 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings.

The first segment 38 has a first angle with respect to a horizontalplane (e.g. a ground surface) when the fertilizer tube system 10 isattached to the planter shank 14 as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 ofthe drawings. The second segment 37 extends forwardly from the end ofthe first segment 38 at a second angle with respect to the horizontalplane (e.g. a ground surface) when the fertilizer tube system 10 isattached to the planter shank 14 as further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ofthe drawings. While the first segment 38 and the second segment 37 bothextend upwardly, the first angle for the first segment 38 is greaterthan the second angle for the second segment 37 as illustrated in FIGS.3 and 4 of the drawings. The angle A between the first segment 38 andthe second segment 37 as measured from the side is approximately 152degrees but may vary greater or less. It is preferable that the secondsegment 37 is parallel to a vertical plane comprised of a plane that isparallel to the forward path of movement of the planter implement andthe corresponding planter shank 14 that is vertically aligned. It isfurther preferable that both the first segment 38 and the second segment37 are parallel with respect to the vertical plane as illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 8 of the drawings. The second segment 37 is preferablycomprised of a straight segment extending from a first corner betweenthe second segment 37 and the first segment 38 as illustrated in FIGS. 3and 4 of the drawings. The second segment 37 has a longitudinal axisthat is less vertically orientated than the first segment 38 when thefertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

The third segment 36 extends upwardly and forwardly from the end of thesecond segment 37 opposite of the first segment 38 at a third angle withrespect to the horizontal plane (e.g. a ground surface) when thefertilizer tube system 10 is attached to the planter shank 14 as furthershown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. While the first segment 38, thesecond segment 37 and the third segment 36 all extend upwardly, thethird angle for the third segment 36 is greater than the first angle forthe first segment 38 and the second angle for the second segment 37 asillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The angle B between thesecond segment 37 and the third segment 36 as measured from the side isapproximately 228 degrees but may vary greater or less. It is preferablethat the third segment 36 is parallel to a vertical plane comprised of aplane that is parallel to the forward path of movement of the planterimplement and the corresponding planter shank 14 that is verticallyaligned. It is further preferable that the first segment 38, the secondsegment 37 and the third segment 36 are all preferably parallel withrespect to the vertical plane as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8 of thedrawings. The third segment 36 is preferably comprised of a straightsegment extending from a second corner between the third segment 36 andthe second segment 37 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.The third segment 36 has a longitudinal axis that is more verticallyorientated than the first segment 38 and the second segment 37 when thefertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

The fourth segment 35 extends upwardly from the end of the third segment36 opposite of the second segment 37 at a fourth angle with respect tothe horizontal plane measured from the side (e.g. a ground surface) whenthe fertilizer tube system 10 is attached to the planter shank 14 asfurther shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. While the first segment38, second segment 37, the third segment 36 and the fourth segment 35all extend upwardly, the fourth angle for the fourth segment 35 ispreferably greater than the first angle for the first segment 38, thesecond angle for the second segment 37 and the third angle for the thirdsegment 36 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. It isfurther preferable that the fourth angle for the fourth segment 35 isapproximately 90 degrees. The angle C1 between the third segment 36 andthe fourth segment 35 as measured from the side is approximately 149degrees but may vary greater or less. The angle C2 between the thirdsegment 36 and the fourth segment 35 as measured from the rear isapproximately 137 degrees but may vary greater or less. It is preferablethat the fourth segment 35 is not parallel to a vertical plane comprisedof a plane that is parallel to the forward path of movement of theplanter implement and the corresponding planter shank 14 that isvertically aligned. It is further preferable that the fourth segment 35extends laterally to the right of the third segment 36 at an upwardangle as best illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. The fourth segment35 is preferably comprised of a straight segment extending from a thirdcorner between the fourth segment 35 and the third segment 36 asillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

The fifth segment 34 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the end of thefourth segment 35 opposite of the third segment 36 at a fifth angle withrespect to the horizontal plane measured from the side (e.g. a groundsurface) when the fertilizer tube system 10 is attached to the plantershank 14 as further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The angle D1between the fourth segment 35 and the fifth segment 34 as measured fromthe side is approximately 166 degrees but may vary greater or less. Theangle D2 between the fourth segment 35 and the fifth segment 34 asmeasured from the rear is approximately 136 degrees but may vary greateror less. It is preferable that the fifth segment 34 is parallel to avertical plane comprised of a plane that is parallel to the forward pathof movement of the planter implement and the corresponding planter shank14 that is vertically aligned. The fifth segment 34 is preferablycomprised of a straight segment extending from a fourth corner betweenthe fifth segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 as illustrated in FIGS. 3and 4 of the drawings.

The sixth segment 33 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the end of thefifth segment 34 opposite of the fourth segment 35 at a sixth angle withrespect to the horizontal plane measured from the side (e.g. a groundsurface) when the fertilizer tube system 10 is attached to the plantershank 14 as further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The angle E1between the fifth segment 34 and the sixth segment 33 as measured fromthe side is approximately 167 degrees but may vary greater or less. Theangle E2 between the fifth segment 34 and the sixth segment 33 asmeasured from the rear is approximately 162 degrees but may vary greateror less. It is preferable that the sixth segment 33 is not parallel to avertical plane comprised of a plane that is parallel to the forward pathof movement of the planter implement and the corresponding planter shank14 that is vertically aligned. The sixth segment 33 is preferablycomprised of a straight segment extending from a fifth corner betweenthe sixth segment 33 and the fifth segment 34 as illustrated in FIGS. 3and 4 of the drawings.

The seventh segment 32 extends upwardly from the end of the sixthsegment 33 opposite of the fifth segment 34 at a seventh angle withrespect to the horizontal plane measured from the side (e.g. a groundsurface) when the fertilizer tube system 10 is attached to the plantershank 14 as further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The angle F1between the sixth segment 33 and the seventh segment 32 as measured fromthe side is approximately 154 degrees but may vary greater or less. Theangle F2 between the sixth segment 33 and the seventh segment 32 asmeasured from the rear is approximately 163 degrees but may vary greateror less. It is preferable that the seventh segment 32 is parallel to avertical plane comprised of a plane that is parallel to the forward pathof movement of the planter implement and the corresponding planter shank14 that is vertically aligned. It is further preferable that the seventhsegment 32 is substantially vertically aligned having a longitudinalaxis that is approximately vertical (i.e. approximately 90 degrees withrespect to a horizontal ground surface from all angles. The seventhsegment 32 is preferably comprised of a straight segment extending froma sixth corner between the seventh segment 32 and the sixth segment 33as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The coupler 40 isattached to the seventh segment 32 for removably connecting thefertilizer tube 30 to a fertilizer delivery tube 11.

The third segment 36 is substantially longer than either the firstsegment 38 or the second segment 37. The third segment 36 is preferablylonger than the first segment 38 and the second segment 37 addedtogether. The second segment 37 is preferably shorter in length than thefirst segment 38. The third segment 36 is preferably longer than thefourth segment 35, the fifth segment 34, the sixth segment 33 and theseventh segment 32. The first segment 38 is preferably approximately3.75 inches in length, the second segment 37 is preferably approximately2 inches in length, the third segment 36 is preferably approximately 9.5inches in length, the fourth segment 35 is preferably approximately 2.5inches in length, the fifth segment 34 is preferably approximately 2inches in length, the sixth segment 33 is preferably approximately 3.5inches in length and the seventh segment 32 is preferably approximately1.25 inches in length. It can be appreciated that the lengths for thesegments of the fertilizer tube 30 may vary to accommodate differenttypes of planters.

C. Guard Scraper.

The guard scraper 20 is attached to a lower portion of the fertilizertube 30 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings. The guardscraper 20 is adapted to be removably attached to a mounting member 16of a planter shank 14 of a seed planter implement used in theagricultural industry. The guard scraper 20 is used to protect the seedtube 13 during operation of the seed planter implement. The plantershank 14 includes a mounting aperture 15 that the disks 18 are attachedto with a fastener extending through the mounting aperture 15 connectingdisks 18 on opposing sides of the planter shank 14 as illustrated inFIGS. 9 through 12 of the drawings.

The guard scraper 20 may be comprised of any scraper that is removablyattachable to a planter shank 14 of a planter implement such as, but notlimited to, the John Deere guard scraper (Part Number A97107) designedfor the John Deere MaxEmerge 5 Row Unit manufactured by Deere & Company.FIGS. 1 through 12, 14 and 15 illustrate an exemplary guard scraper 20that is based on the design of the JOHN DEERE guard scraper (Part NumberA97107) that fits onto the mounting member 16 of the planter shank 14extending from the planter frame 12 of the planter implement.

The fertilizer tube 30 is attached to a lower leading edge of the guardscraper 20 by welding or other attachment means (e.g. fasteners). Theguard scraper 20 includes a front edge 22, a rear portion 24 and amounting portion 26, wherein the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to thefront edge 22 of the guard scraper 20. The rear portion 24 of the guardscraper 20 is comprised of a flanged structure extending outwardly onopposing sides of a body portion of the guard scraper 20 as bestillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the drawings. The rear portion 24of the guard scraper 20 is broader in width than the main body portionof the guard scraper 20 and the fertilizer tube 30.

The mounting portion 26 of the guard scraper 20 removably attaches tothe mounting member 16. The mounting member 16 of the planter shank 14is comprised of an inverted T-shaped structure with the lower portionhaving a cylindrical shape that is received within the receiver channel27 of the guard scraper 20 as illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings. Thereceiver channel 27 has an upper slot having a width that is smallerthan the diameter of the lower portion of the mounting member 16. Thereceiver channel 27 further includes a rear opening that receives thefront end of the lower portion of the mounting member 16. The front endof the receiver channel 27 is enclosed to prevent the guard scraper 20from being removed rearwardly from the mounting member 16. The guardscraper 20 further includes a catch member 28 attached to a rear portionof the guard scraper 20 that is positioned adjacent to the rear edge ofthe vertical portion of the mounting member 16 when the guard scraper 20is attached to the mounting member 16 thereby preventing forwardmovement of the guard scraper 20 upon the mounting member 16 wheninstalled as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings.

D. Tab.

The tab 50 is attached to a central portion of the fertilizer tube 30between the input opening 31 and the output opening 39. The tab 50 iscomprised of a bendable material such as a bendable metal material toallow an installer the ability to bend the tab 50 adjacent to the sideof the planter shank 14 as illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings. It ispreferable that the tab 50 is attached to an upper portion of the secondsegment 36 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings. It isfurther preferable that the tab 50 is welded to the fertilizer tube 30and the tab 50 is attached to at least a quarter of the circumference ofthe fertilizer tube 30. The tab 50 is further preferably comprised of aflat structure but may have a non-flat structure.

The tab 50 has an initial position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9of the drawings and a final position as illustrated in FIG. 11 of thedrawings. The initial position of the tab 50 exists before thefertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 and the finalposition of the tab 50 exists after the fertilizer tube 30 is attachedto the planter shank 14.

The tab 50 extends transversely with respect to a plane that is parallelto a main body of the guard scraper 20 extending from front to back ofthe guard scraper 20 when the tab 50 is in the initial position as bestillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the drawings. The initial positionof the tab 50 allows for the fertilizer tube 30 to be installed upon theplanter shank 14 without interfering with the alignment of thefertilizer tube 30 in front of the planter shank 14 as shown in FIGS. 9through 11 of the drawings. The tab 50 is preferably approximatelyninety-degrees with respect to the plane when the tab 50 is in theinitial position but may have different transverse angles.

The tab 50 is bent approximately ninety-degrees after the fertilizertube 30 is in the desired position with respect to the planter shank 14to be positioned adjacent to the side of the planter shank 14 as shownin FIG. 11 of the drawings. It is preferable that over fifty-percent ofthe total length and/or surface area of the tab 50 is substantiallyparallel to the plane when the tab 50 is in the final position. The tab50 wraps around the leading edge of the planter shank 14 as furtherillustrated in FIG. 11.

E. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.

In use, a fertilizer tube system 10 is attached to each planter shank 14of a planter implement. To assemble the fertilizer tube system 10 to theplanter implement, the user positions the mounting portion 26 of theguard scraper 20 so that the rear opening within the receiver channel 27is aligned with the front end of the lower shaft of the mounting member16. The guard scraper 20 is moved rearwardly so that the mountingportion 26 slides upon the lower shaft of the mounting member 16 untilthe front end of the lower shaft of the mounting member 16 engages theenclosed end of the receiver channel 27. The cross sectional shape anddiameter of the receiver channel 27 is approximately the same as thelower shaft of the mounting member 16 to allow for a snug, yet slidableconnection between thereof. The user then rotates the guard scraper 20and the corresponding fertilizer tube 30 in a counterclockwise direction(as viewed from the rear) until the right edge of the receiver channel27 engages the right side of the vertical portion of the mounting member16 which also results in the catch member 28 being positioned adjacentto the rear edge of the vertical portion of the mounting member 16 toprevent forward movement thereof as illustrated in FIG. 11. Aftereverything is properly aligned, the user bends the tab 50 about theplanter shank 14 to prevent movement of the fertilizer tube 30 and toprovide support to the upper portion of the fertilizer tube 30. Whenfully assembled and attached to the planter frame 12, the upper portionof the fertilizer tube 30 extends around a rearward extending upperportion of the planter frame 12 as best illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13.The user then uses the coupler 40 to connect the fertilizer tube 30 to afertilizer delivery tube 11 as shown in FIGS. 12 through 15 of thedrawings. Each fertilizer delivery tube 11 comes from a fertilizerreservoir or manifold and supplies the fertilizer to each fertilizertube system 10.

As the planter implement is pulled through the soil, the disks 18 createa V-shaped furrow in the soil which is well-known in the art ofplanters. The output opening 39 of the fertilizer tube 30 emits theliquid fertilizer onto the lower surface of the furrow in front of theseed tube 13 in preparation for the disbursement of the seed from theseed tube 13. The seed is then dispensed from the seed tube 13 andplaced above the fertilizer within the furrow. The furrow is finallycovered with soil to allow the seed to grow.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described above. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specificforms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof,and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilizedwithin the description are for convenience only and have no legal orlimiting effect.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fertilizer tube for attachment to a planterimplement, comprising: a fertilizer tube having an input opening at anupper end of the fertilizer tube and an output opening at a lower end ofthe fertilizer tube, wherein the input opening is adapted for receivingfertilizer from a fertilizer system and wherein the output opening isadapted for dispensing the fertilizer into a seed furrow; wherein thefertilizer tube is comprised of a first segment, a second segmentextending upwardly and forwardly from the first segment and a thirdsegment extending upwardly from the second segment, wherein the firstsegment has a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane and whereinthe second segment has a second angle with respect to the horizontalplane, and wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle; anda guard scraper having a front edge, wherein the first segment of thefertilizer tube is attached to the front edge of the guard scraper,wherein the guard scraper includes a mounting portion having a receiverchannel adapted to be removably attachable to a mounting member of aplanter shank of a planter implement, wherein the mounting member iscomprised of an inverted T-shaped structure.
 2. The fertilizer tube ofclaim 1, wherein the fertilizer tube is comprised of a continuous singlestructure.
 3. The fertilizer tube of claim 1, including a tab attachedto the fertilizer tube between the input opening and the output opening.4. The fertilizer tube of claim 3, wherein the tab is attached to acentral portion of the fertilizer tube.
 5. The fertilizer tube of claim3, wherein the tab has an initial position and a final position, whereinthe initial position exists before the fertilizer tube is attached tothe planter shank and wherein the final position exists after thefertilizer tube is attached to the planter shank.
 6. The fertilizer tubeof claim 5, wherein the tab extends transversely with respect to a planethat is parallel to a main body of the guard scraper extending fromfront to back of the guard scraper when the tab is in the initialposition.
 7. The fertilizer tube of claim 6, wherein the tab isapproximately ninety-degrees with respect to the plane when the tab isin the initial position.
 8. The fertilizer tube of system claim 6,wherein over fifty-percent of the tab is substantially parallel to theplane when the tab is in the final position.
 9. The fertilizer tube ofclaim 1, wherein the output opening is within a lower distal end of thefirst segment, and wherein the first segment is comprised of asubstantially straight structure that is substantially parallel to thefront edge of the guard scraper.
 10. The fertilizer tube of claim 1,wherein the first segment, the second segment and the third segment areall aligned along a common vertical plane.
 11. The fertilizer tube ofclaim 1, wherein the third segment has a third angle with respect to thehorizontal plane and wherein the third angle is greater than the firstangle and the second angle.
 12. The fertilizer tube of claim 1, whereinthe third segment is substantially longer than either the first segmentor the second segment.
 13. The fertilizer tube of claim 12, wherein thethird segment is longer than the first segment and the second segmentadded together.
 14. The fertilizer tube of claim 12, wherein the secondsegment is shorter in length than the first segment.
 15. The fertilizertube of claim 1, wherein the third segment extends upwardly andforwardly from the second segment.
 16. A method of attaching thefertilizer tube of claim 1, comprising: positioning the mounting portionof the guard scraper so that a rear opening within the receiver channelis aligned with a front end of a lower shaft of the mounting member;moving the guard scraper rearwardly so that the mounting portion slidesupon the lower shaft of the mounting member until the front end of thelower shaft of the mounting member engages an enclosed end of thereceiver channel; rotating the guard scraper and the correspondingfertilizer tube; and connecting the fertilizer tube to a fertilizerdelivery tube from the fertilizer system.
 17. A fertilizer tube forattachment to a planter implement, comprising: a fertilizer tube havingan input opening at an upper end of the fertilizer tube and an outputopening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube, wherein the fertilizertube is comprised of a continuous single structure, wherein the inputopening is adapted for receiving fertilizer from a fertilizer system andwherein the output opening is adapted for dispensing the fertilizer intoa seed furrow; wherein the fertilizer tube is comprised of a firstsegment, a second segment extending upwardly and forwardly from thefirst segment and a third segment extending upwardly from the secondsegment, wherein the first segment has a first angle with respect to ahorizontal plane and wherein the second segment has a second angle withrespect to the horizontal plane, and wherein the first angle is greaterthan the second angle; wherein the output opening is within a lowerdistal end of the first segment, and wherein the first segment iscomprised of a substantially straight structure that is substantiallyparallel to the front edge of a guard scraper; and a guard scraperhaving a front edge, wherein the first segment of the fertilizer tube isattached to the front edge of a guard scraper, wherein the guard scraperincludes a mounting portion having a receiver channel adapted to beremovably attachable to a mounting member of a planter shank of aplanter implement, wherein the mounting member is comprised of aninverted T-shaped structure.
 18. The fertilizer tube of claim 17,wherein the first segment, the second segment and the third segment areall aligned along a common vertical plane.
 19. The fertilizer tube ofclaim 17, wherein the third segment has a third angle with respect tothe horizontal plane and wherein the third angle is greater than thefirst angle and the second angle.
 20. The fertilizer tube of claim 17,wherein the third segment extends upwardly and forwardly from the secondsegment.
 21. A method of attaching the fertilizer tube of claim 17,comprising: positioning the mounting portion of the guard scraper sothat a rear opening within the receiver channel is aligned with a frontend of a lower shaft of the mounting member; moving the guard scraperrearwardly so that the mounting portion slides upon the lower shaft ofthe mounting member until the front end of the lower shaft of themounting member engages an enclosed end of the receiver channel;rotating the guard scraper and the corresponding fertilizer tube; andconnecting the fertilizer tube to a fertilizer delivery tube from thefertilizer system.
 22. A fertilizer tube for attachment to a planterimplement, comprising: a fertilizer tube having an input opening at anupper end of the fertilizer tube and an output opening at a lower end ofthe fertilizer tube, wherein the fertilizer tube is comprised of acontinuous single structure, wherein the input opening is adapted forreceiving fertilizer from a fertilizer system and wherein the outputopening is adapted for dispensing the fertilizer into a seed furrow;wherein the fertilizer tube is comprised of a first segment, a secondsegment extending upwardly and forwardly from the first segment and athird segment extending upwardly from the second segment; wherein thefirst segment has a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane,wherein the second segment has a second angle with respect to thehorizontal plane and wherein the third segment has a third angle withrespect to the horizontal plane; wherein the first angle is greater thanthe second angle; wherein the third angle is greater than the firstangle and the second angle wherein the first segment, the second segmentand the third segment are all aligned along a common vertical plane;wherein the second segment is shorter in length than the first segment;wherein the third segment is longer than the first segment and thesecond segment added together; wherein the output opening is within alower distal end of the first segment, and wherein the first segment iscomprised of a substantially straight structure that is substantiallyparallel to the front edge of a guard scraper; and a guard scraperhaving a front edge, wherein the first segment of the fertilizer tube isattached to the front edge of a guard scraper, wherein the guard scraperincludes a mounting portion having a receiver channel adapted to beremovably attachable to a mounting member of a planter shank of aplanter implement, wherein the mounting member is comprised of aninverted T-shaped structure.
 23. The fertilizer tube of claim 22,wherein the third segment extends upwardly and forwardly from the secondsegment.